The best examples of DIY plant-based skincare products: 3 examples you’ll actually use

Let’s start with three anchor products you can actually build a routine around. These are the best examples of DIY plant-based skincare products for beginners: simple ingredients, low risk, and very forgiving.

Example of a gentle oat & chamomile cream cleanser (for sensitive or dry skin)

If your face feels tight after washing, this is your new friend. This example of a DIY plant-based skincare product uses oats, chamomile, and plant oils to clean without stripping.

You’ll need (small batch, about 4 oz):

• Finely ground oats (colloidal oats if you can find them)
• Dried chamomile flowers or plain chamomile tea
• Jojoba or sweet almond oil
• Unscented plant-based liquid castile soap
• Distilled water
• A few drops of vitamin E oil as an antioxidant (optional)

How it works:

• Oats contain soothing compounds called avenanthramides that can help calm irritation and dryness. The National Eczema Association notes that colloidal oatmeal can support the skin barrier and help with itchy, dry skin.
• Chamomile brings gentle anti-inflammatory properties.
• Jojoba oil is close to the skin’s natural sebum, so it moisturizes without feeling greasy.

How to make it:

1. Brew a strong chamomile tea with distilled water and let it cool completely.
2. In a clean jar, combine your plant oil and a small amount of liquid castile soap.
3. Stir in finely ground oats until you get a milky, creamy texture.
4. Slowly add cooled chamomile tea until it’s pourable but still creamy.
5. Add a few drops of vitamin E oil if you’re using it.

Shake gently before each use and store in the fridge. Use within 7–10 days, since this is a water-based product without preservatives.

Example of a brightening plant-based face oil (for normal to dry or mature skin)

If you want glow without a 12-step routine, a simple face oil is one of the best examples of DIY plant-based skincare products that feels luxe but takes five minutes to mix.

You’ll need (about 1 oz):

• Jojoba oil (base oil)
• Rosehip seed oil (for brightening)
• Argan or grapeseed oil (for extra slip)
• Optional: 1–2 drops of lavender or frankincense essential oil, if your skin tolerates them

Why these ingredients:

• Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A–like compounds and fatty acids and is often used for uneven tone and fine lines. You can read more about plant oils and skin barrier health at the American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org.
• Jojoba is stable and less likely to oxidize quickly.
• Argan or grapeseed oil helps thin the mixture so it sinks in more easily.

How to make it:

1. Fill a small dropper bottle halfway with jojoba oil.
2. Add rosehip seed oil until the bottle is about three-quarters full.
3. Top off with argan or grapeseed oil.
4. If using essential oils, add only 1–2 drops total per ounce, then shake well.

Use 2–3 drops on damp skin after cleansing. This is a great example of a DIY plant-based skincare product that can replace both a night cream and a separate “glow” serum.

Example of whipped shea & aloe body butter (for dry, flaky skin)

Store-bought body butters can be packed with synthetic fragrances and fillers. This whipped version is one of the best examples of DIY plant-based skincare products for people who want something rich and simple.

You’ll need (about 8 oz):

• Raw, unrefined shea butter
• Coconut oil or cocoa butter
• Sweet almond or sunflower oil
• Aloe vera gel (store-bought, with minimal additives)
• Optional: a few drops of vanilla extract or skin-safe essential oil

Why it works:

• Shea butter contains fatty acids that help soften rough patches.
• Aloe vera can feel cooling and soothing on dry or sun-exposed skin. You can read about aloe’s safety and potential benefits on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health site: https://www.nccih.nih.gov.

How to make it:

1. Gently melt shea butter and coconut oil using a double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water).
2. Remove from heat and stir in your liquid oil.
3. Let the mixture cool until it turns cloudy and starts to thicken.
4. Add aloe gel slowly, then whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
5. Spoon into a clean jar and keep away from direct heat.

Because this contains aloe (a water-based ingredient), it’s best stored in the fridge and used within 1–2 weeks unless you’re experienced with preservatives.

These three anchor recipes are practical examples of DIY plant-based skincare products: 3 examples that cover cleansing, moisturizing, and body care.

More examples of DIY plant-based skincare products to round out your routine

Once you’ve tried those first three, you can start layering in more plant-based options. Here are additional real examples that people actually use in 2024–2025.

Aloe + green tea hydrating toner (for redness-prone or combination skin)

This is a lighter, water-based step that can help your skin feel refreshed without alcohol or synthetic fragrance.

You’ll need:

• Strongly brewed green tea, cooled (use distilled water to brew if possible)
• Aloe vera juice or gel that’s meant for skincare
• A few drops of glycerin (plant-based)

Combine equal parts cooled green tea and aloe, then add a few drops of glycerin. Store in the fridge and use within 5–7 days. Spritz or pat onto clean skin before your face oil.

Green tea contains polyphenols that have been studied for their antioxidant properties. The National Institutes of Health has summaries of research on green tea and skin: https://www.nih.gov.

Simple sugar & oil lip scrub (for flaky lips)

If you live somewhere dry or use a lot of matte lipstick, this is a tiny but mighty example of DIY plant-based skincare.

Mix equal parts organic sugar and a plant oil like jojoba, coconut, or olive. Gently massage onto damp lips for 20–30 seconds, then rinse and follow with a plant-based balm (candelilla wax is a vegan alternative to beeswax).

Turmeric & yogurt-inspired spot mask (for occasional dull spots)

Turmeric is everywhere on social media, but it can stain skin and fabrics if you go overboard. This example of a DIY plant-based skincare product uses just a pinch.

Combine:

• A spoonful of plant-based yogurt (oat or coconut)
• A tiny pinch of ground turmeric
• A few drops of jojoba or grapeseed oil

Apply only where needed for 5–10 minutes, then rinse well. Patch test first, especially if you have very fair or sensitive skin.

If you’re curious about irritation or allergies, Mayo Clinic has helpful overviews on contact dermatitis and skin reactions: https://www.mayoclinic.org.

Calendula-infused oil for irritated hands or cuticles

If your hands are constantly dry from washing dishes or using sanitizer, this is one of the best low-effort examples of DIY plant-based skincare products.

Fill a clean jar with dried calendula petals and cover completely with a stable oil like olive, sunflower, or jojoba. Let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks, shaking every few days. Strain and store the golden oil in a clean bottle.

Use on hands, cuticles, or dry patches. Calendula has a long history in traditional skincare, and while research is still evolving, it’s widely used in gentle, plant-based formulas.

Why these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products are trending in 2024–2025

The best examples of DIY plant-based skincare products in 2024–2025 all have a few things in common:

• Short ingredient lists. People are tired of reading labels that look like chemistry exams. Oats, oils, herbs, aloe—these feel familiar.
• Refillable and low-waste. Many folks are reusing glass jars and dropper bottles instead of buying new plastic each month.
• Skin-barrier friendly. There’s a big shift toward supporting the skin barrier instead of attacking it with harsh exfoliants. Simple plant oils and colloidal oats fit right into that trend.

Environmental groups and dermatologists alike are talking more about microplastics, fragrance sensitivity, and overuse of harsh actives. The American Academy of Dermatology, for example, has guidance on gentle cleansing and moisturizing routines that pair nicely with these DIY ideas.

The bottom line: these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products let you simplify, cut down on packaging, and stay in control of what goes on your skin.

Safety tips before you copy these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products

DIY skincare can be fun, but it’s still chemistry on your face. A few grounded guidelines:

1. Patch test every new example of a DIY plant-based skincare product

Before you slather anything on your face, test a small amount on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear. Wait 24 hours. If you notice redness, burning, or itching, skip that recipe.

If you have a history of allergies, eczema, or very sensitive skin, consider checking resources from the American Academy of Dermatology (https://www.aad.org) or talking with a dermatologist before making big changes.

2. Watch the shelf life, especially for water-based recipes

Water plus plant material equals a party for bacteria and mold. Any recipe with tea, aloe, fresh fruit, or water should:

• Be stored in the fridge, and
• Used within about a week unless you’re using proper cosmetic preservatives.

Oil-only examples of DIY plant-based skincare products—like the face oil or calendula oil—generally last longer, but they can still go rancid. If the smell changes, toss it.

3. Go easy with essential oils

Essential oils are powerful and can irritate skin, especially around the eyes. If you use them at all:

• Keep them very diluted (1–2 drops per ounce of carrier oil).
• Avoid on broken or freshly shaved skin.
• Skip citrus oils (like lemon or lime) on sun-exposed areas—they can increase sensitivity to sunlight.

WebMD has consumer-friendly information on skin allergies and irritants if you want to read more: https://www.webmd.com.

4. Remember: natural doesn’t automatically mean safer

Poison ivy is natural. So is arsenic. “Plant-based” doesn’t guarantee that your skin will love something. That’s why these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products focus on ingredients that are widely used and generally well tolerated, but your skin is still the final judge.

How to build a simple routine using these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products

If you want to use these recipes as a full routine instead of random one-off experiments, here’s an easy starting point:

Morning:

• Rinse with cool water or a small amount of the oat & chamomile cleanser.
• Spritz or pat on the aloe + green tea toner.
• Seal in moisture with 2–3 drops of the brightening face oil.
• Follow with a store-bought, broad-spectrum sunscreen (DIY sunscreen is not safe or reliable—dermatologists and the FDA are very clear on this).

Evening:

• Use the oat & chamomile cleanser to remove the day.
• Apply toner if your skin likes it.
• Use face oil while your skin is still slightly damp.
• Use whipped shea & aloe body butter on dry areas like elbows, knees, and feet.

A couple of times a week, you can:

• Use the sugar & oil lip scrub.
• Try a short turmeric-inspired spot mask on dull areas.
• Massage calendula oil into hands and cuticles before bed.

This way, the best examples of DIY plant-based skincare products become a real, repeatable routine instead of a one-time Pinterest project.

FAQ: common questions about examples of DIY plant-based skincare products

What are some easy examples of DIY plant-based skincare products for total beginners?

Some of the easiest examples include the sugar & oil lip scrub, a simple jojoba-only face oil, and a basic oat-and-water paste used as a gentle cleanser or mask. All three use minimal ingredients and are hard to mess up.

Can you give an example of a DIY plant-based skincare product for acne-prone skin?

A light face oil made with mostly jojoba and a smaller amount of grapeseed oil is one example of a DIY plant-based skincare product that many acne-prone people tolerate. Always patch test, and if you’re dealing with moderate to severe acne, it’s wise to work with a dermatologist. The American Academy of Dermatology has evidence-based acne guidance you can pair with DIY habits.

Are these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products safe for kids or teens?

Many plant-based ingredients like oats and plain plant oils are often used on children, but kids’ skin can be especially sensitive. Stick to very simple recipes (like oat baths or plain shea butter on dry patches) and avoid essential oils on young children unless a pediatrician says otherwise.

Do I need preservatives in these examples of DIY plant-based skincare products?

If you want your water-based products (those with tea, aloe, or fresh ingredients) to last more than a week, then yes, you’d need proper cosmetic preservatives and a good understanding of formulation. For most home crafters, it’s safer to make small batches, keep them cold, and use them quickly.

Are there professional resources I can check before trying new DIY skincare ideas?

Yes. For science-backed information on skin and ingredients, check:

• American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org
• National Institutes of Health: https://www.nih.gov
• Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org

Use these alongside your favorite examples of DIY plant-based skincare products so your routine stays both eco-friendly and skin-friendly.